Advent Season · Third Sunday of Advent · Year B
Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11
The Year of the Lord’s Favor
December 13, 2026
Overview & Insights
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” (Isaiah 61:1)
Chapters 61 and 62 recapitulate much of chapter 60, but they do so in a new framework. They offer five responses to those promises. Whereas the prophet’s word was a brisk preliminary to Yahweh’s word in 59:21–60:22, in chapters 61–62 the prophet speaks a number of times in a way that has significance in its own right but also introduces recapitulations of the promises.
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Commentary on Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Working Preacher
Reads the anointed herald who brings good news to the oppressed as an evangelical proclamation.
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed exposition of covenant renewal and the garments of salvation.
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Isaiah Chapter 61 Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse by verse study of the Spirit anointed messenger and the year of the Lord's favor.
BibleHub Commentaries on Isaiah 61 BibleHub
Classic commentators on the text Jesus reads in the Nazareth synagogue.
Isaiah 61 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse by verse study collecting many conservative commentators and word studies on Isaiah 61.
Background & Word Study
Sefaria: Isaiah 61 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria
Hebrew text with Jewish translations and commentaries for word level study.
Isaiah 61:1 Hebrew Interlinear BibleHub
Word by word Hebrew of the Spirit anointing verse with parsing and Strong's numbers.
Enter the Bible: Isaiah (Book Overview) Enter the Bible
Background on the setting of Third Isaiah and the restoration hope of chapter 61.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why does Isaiah 61 belong to Advent?
It is the anointed servant's mandate, good news to the poor, liberty to captives, the year of the Lord's favor, the very words Jesus reads of himself in the synagogue at Nazareth.
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on John 1:6-8, 19-28
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.